West Wind Curiosities

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

You know how you make something that's just so darn cute, you don't know what to do?

Well, I did that today, but the pictures, well...they're kinda 'eh' looking. I wish I could show you just how cute this is.

I used some of the upcoming items from the Holiday catalogue coming out soon...Howlstooth & Scaringbone DSP (126906), Toxic Treats stamp set (127901), and pretty pretty gray and black Stripped Satin Ribbon, 1/2" (127837). I have to say, from everything coming out, I LOVE the Howlstooth & Scaringbone DSP - this is perfect for all fall, not just Halloween...this could make some real cute Thanksgiving name cards, favors, etc. And if you don't celebrate Halloween, how cute would this be for a Harvest Festival...a few dried leaves, some little fake apples, so cute and the perfect colors.

I used an old wooden thread spool I found at the Sacramento Antiques Faire (big ole' bag of 'em for $5), some of the fuzzy black 'scatter' they have for Halloween tablescapes (candle store), a bit of glitter I got in the dollar bin at Michael's last season, a few bits of the silver star celebration wires (dollar tree in the birthday section).

I try to save the light cardboard type papers that come sometimes with my orders, and I punched out the two labels using both the DSP and the light cardboard, to make it a bit more stable, and glued them to each other with Stampin Up! Liquid Glass - can I just say, that stuff ROCKS! It glues clear, doesn't make raised sections on the paper when it dries, and you can make things look glassy...so versatile.

Well...you can figure most of it out yourself.
I saw something like this in an old 'Home & Heart' crafting magazine for a garden tea, was looking for some of the green moss, and I immediately thought of my new DSP and the fuzzy black moss from my Halloween candlescape (yes, I said candlescape...lol).

It's funny sometimes where your mind takes you when you're trying to create - so different from the inspiration, but you never would have thought about it without that inspiration.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

This morning when I went to rinse my face in the fresh dew I'd collected (lol, it's like 103 outside, bear with me as I pretend I'm in my cool forest dwelling...), a pretty little watch was sitting out. I don't wear watches (this is the forest after all, who's going to care?), but I've never been able to get rid of this one:

The colors are so pretty to me, and very lush in person - pinks, deep greens, a spot of red or two, and that lovely old copper surrounding it all.

Yes, that had a purpose...when I went to the Mojo Monday website to see the card layout for the week, I thought of my watch.

I picked up the pretty Raspberry Ripple and Gumball Green papers, a bit of scrap from yesterday's baby card, some Gumball Green ribbon (126848), Fabulous Florets Stamp Set (123027), the Vintage Wallpaper Texture Folder (120175), my large circle Nestabilities set, and a bit of very soft sandpaper.

I've never used sandpaper on my cards before, unless I was trying to smooth edges when attaching paper to coasters or such. But I really wanted the Vintage Wallpaper to stand out a bit, as it's the same Raspberry color as the background paper. So, I gently rubbed the sandpaper along the raised bits of 'wallpaper' and voila! the slight difference in the colors stood out exactly like I wanted (you should see it in person!).

And, again...don't forget the inside...the 'floral' outline stamp from the set, along with the leaf outline, make a lovely addition stamped along one side (make sure you have enough room to write!).

I never would have thought of the card without the help of the Mojo Ladies...thank you to all of you wherever you are for creative designs. I think this is one of my favorite so far.

I think someone, somewhere, should start a Handwritten, Handcrafted Card swap...a little note to say hello, a handmade card just for that person...who doesn't like to get mail?

I was on vacation last week, did a little fishing and sitting around staring at the sky, but I'm back (mostly) and I'll try to add a few cards. Just before vacation I received a few stamp sets i was avidly looking forward to getting, and I'm all ready to play with them. Hopefully I'll post some lovely cards for you!

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Yes...my box arrived yesterday and I've been pawing through my new toys!

The card was made with Fine Feathers (126517) and One in a Million (126382), the new In Colors Midnight Muse and Gumball Green (inks and papers), a fancy little Blender Pen, some 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon in Midnight Muse and Gumball Green (126847 & 126848 respectively), the Square Lattice Textured Impressions folder (119976) and, for those looking closely, a sneak peak item....the soon-to-be-out-in-the-Holiday-catalogue Ribbon Slides Designer Round (127834).

It was the perfect finishing touch for this card. And I love how the feathers really go with the 'above & beyond' sentiment...

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

I just haven't felt very creative lately...I'm eagerly awaiting my most recent order from Stampin' Up!, filled with lots of goodies from the current catalogue and a few from the upcoming Holiday catalogue (I love being a demonstrator!), and just can't seem to find the umph! needed to get a card right. I have lots of pieces and half-finished cards lying around, it looks like a gremlin got into my stamp room and played...only one little card out of the whole mess!

However, it's an important card...it's my friends birthday tomorrow, and I'm mailing it today (thank goodness she doesn't live far). I really hope she likes it!

I used the Patio Party DSP, Make a Cake stamp set, and my Nestibilities Labels set for the cut outs. The paper? I'm still waiting for my current In Color paper to match the Patio Party colors exactly, but I think the pink I picked out is pretty close to the new Raspberry Ripple color (which is coming later today...). I don't know if you can see the sparkle from the glitter, but its there! And the pretty label area, I used the thick double sided tape to 'pop' it up.

Monday, July 2, 2012

Lots of demonstrators have these, so I thought I'd throw it out there on my blog.

I've had a couple requests and filled a few spots for a ribbon share from the new Stampin' Up! Catalogue. Now I can only do this with US people, sorry, but policy forbids shipping current items across country lines for demonstrators.

If you're anything like me, you love ribbon. You may not always use it, you may hoarde it so you don't run out, you may piece it out in small precious bits on cards so you always have a little, or you may only need a small piece to go with your current color obsession. Me, I tend to hoarde and grudginly add it small bit by bit to cards. So, in the interest of saving your pocket book, because the ribbons themselves can cost almost $50 for each color grouping if you buy all the colors, here is my offer:

Shares run $12 each and include basic shipping, and 2 yards of each color listed, wrapped around a piece of cardboard to keep nice and neat. If you want both shares, the price will be $22, you save $2! If you want Priority Mail, you'll need to let me know and we'll bump the price up by and extra $5.00 ( Priority mail: 1 share-$15.00, both shares-$25).

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Yay! I did it this week...pulled the Mojo Monday sketch and posted it before the end of the week. No longer will I be number 167, or 205, or 250 (you get the idea) in the list, but maybe closer to the middle?

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Sadly, mine is neither Round nor Square, but slightly rectangular, as I have no envelopes to match the square. I streched my talent a bit and decided to use the Patio Party (126916) DSP and Make a Cake (126742) stamp set. I say streched because the paper is sooooo busy!

Monday, June 25, 2012

I've been experimenting with a new soap recipe, and I have to say, this batch turned out perfectly...creamy soft lather with lots of bubbles, lovely scent that is not disappearing, just the right touch of scrubbiness...lovely! You can see the finished bars below.
Doesn't this just look like the beginning of dessert?

Don't eat it...it's all my oils and lye water mixed and soaponified via the Hot Process method (Crock Pot Soap!) and you can see bits of ground oats and traces of newly added shea butter to add a nice bit of unsaponified oil to condition your skin while cleaning.

I used to be a bit of a stickler, something of a snob really, about 'cold process' soap. But I've played around a bit and am loving the texture of the soap and really, the whole Hot Process process. I still need to leave it to harden a week or two, but you can check it right away, you don't loose your expensive essential oils in the heating, and I get to play in the bubbles while washing up. And I can easily picture myself in my little forest dwelling, stirring my kettle of soap and waiting for it to finish. I really need to get these to market...and go harvest some more herbs for my next batch...

Ok, back to the present...I don't know if you've ever made soap, but the smell is so nice while it's cooking...I've now come to identify the 'fresh soap' smell with creativity and relaxation. And yes, I sit there and sniff it a few times through the whole process just to get that 'I'm making soap' high. Just remember if you do this, wait till the lye water is incorporated to sniff, don't sniff the lye fumes...not really pleasant.

I tried a new recipe that was supposed to give more lather, added a few of my own touches, and re-sized the recipe to give me a small batch (and I do mean small). It worked perfectly, samples were given to strangers, thanks to my loving husband, and the sampler-people reported back very happy. Yep, as creamy soft as it looks, with a gentle scrub...not for your face though.

And as these things often go...more free samples were provided and my perfect soap is down to three bars, a little over 3oz each, and dwindling fast. I hope that if I make a bigger batch, it turns out just as well. Do I save them or sell them? Oh the choices!

One last note, I just made another small batch last night, testing a baby soap this time, and I must say, it's coming out lovely! Chamomile & Calendula, but I'll post that later.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

I loved the card at the top right of page 79 in the new Stampin' Up! catalogue.

This is my attempt to recreate it using things on hand. I haven't placed my first big order from the new catalogue yet, so I only have a few items.

Using my 'Nestabilities' set (Labels 18), and some scraps of 'Urban Garden' DSP left in my craft drawer, and a few bits and pieces, I re-created the card. Who would have thought my old DSP scraps would fit so nicely with a new set? I knew I'd have use for them someday!

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

I've had this set for years and never used it, along with the pretty DSP. I set myself a goal to make at least one card with it or give it away to a friend. And honestly, I love the set...even though I haven't used it, I would hate to get rid of it.

The set is Artistic Etchings (120573).

This set would be lovely with the Fan Fair Product Suite in the new Catalogue, perfect with all those travel sets...and just in time for your summer travel!

I used a few odds and ends lying around the craft room...Antique Brads (117273), the tiny clips from a previous catalogue, and some scrap silk ribbon I've been hoarding.

The ribbon is from Cam Creations, they have beautiful silk ribbon in a rainbow of colors, many hand dyed. The red ribbon is Candy Apple in 13mm - an almost perfect match for the Stampin' Up! Cherry Cobbler paper. And of course, you need something that looks extravagant with this set, and silky, sensuous red ribbon is perfect. Silk ribbon frays easily and and can give that 'lost treasure' look quickly. On the flip side, silk ribbon can also be turned into gorgeous, lush bows. If you're going for the bow, get the larger 32mm size...perfect.

Set yourself a goal today - pull out that set you love but have never used and challenge yourself to make something with it - now.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Welcome to the Pals New Catalog Blog Hop! The Stampin' Pretty Pals are excited to share some fabulous cards and projects showcasing our favorite products from the new Stampin' Up! Catalog! You've probably hopped over from Nakaba Rager's blog at http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/naki/blog, I'm stop number 31 on the Pals Hop and I'm glad you hopped in! I'll help you "hop along" from blog to blog where you'll find great ideas for new Stampin' Up! products from the Stampin' Pretty Pals! Should you hop off course, simply click on any of the links in the Pals Hop Line-up below and you'll be back on track.

My cards today are from the Animal Talk (126392) set. If you look at the previous post, you'll see my first attempt with the set. Here are my next two cards, the Frog and Dog:

Look closely at the puppy - yes, his nose it wet! OK, not really...it's a bit of Liquid Glass again...a dab on his little tail spot and eyes, too. I'm really taken with the popularity of the banners, also...I've been using them everywhere lately. The colors, Chocolate Chip, Sahara Sand, Pacific Point. The pretty paper banners are scraps from International Bazaar DSP, again. I tried to make it look like he was holding the banners in his teeth. The stylized flowers inside the card are from the World Treasures (126767) set again, to go with the paper scrap.

The frog card...my favorite so far. The overall design idea? Mojo Monday 245! Tangerine Tango, Gumball Green, Chocolate Chip, and Sahara Sand - what a combination! I would not have normally put the green and orange colors together, but the International Bazaar DSP has these two designs as flip sides, so I figured, why not? And how perfect and bouncy looking for a frog card! The Chocolate Chip background piece was textured with Stampin' Up! Textured Impressions Square Lattice folder (119976) to add even more dimension to the card. Inside, yes, it's the stylized flower from the World Treasures (126767) set, again.

Monday, June 11, 2012

Using the basic outline from a previous Mojo Monday (see a few posts down), I made a quick card this afternoon to share and show off some more of my new sets.

The image and words are from the new Animal Talk(126392) set. So many cute animals! I'll have to use the others and post a few cards with them so you can see - this is a great set for anyone who wants a quick card all from one set (words and images) and loves animals.

Isn't it sweet! The blue is Pacific Point, the DSP is a scrap from International Bazaar (126920) and a strip from Patio Party (126916), the card, the circle, and the word strip are in Whisper White, and the large scallop circle is an old scrap of Pacific Point paper I found lying around...I love being able to use scraps.

Don't forget the inside...I used the coordinating set for the International Bazaar DSP, World Treasures (126767) and the stylized flower to add a bit of color inside.

I don't know if you can see it in the picture or not, but I also used the Stampin' Up! Liquid Glass to raise the branch, leaves, and the little eye on the birdie to give a bit of dimension to the image, and a bit of double sided thick tape to pop up the 'bird talk' wording.

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Mojo Monday, Saturday evening!I love this card ~ clean lines, bright and happy colors, lovely message. The blue (Pacific Point) really seems to pop against the simple white and grayish (Sahara Sand) background colors, and the yellow (Daffodil Delight) adds that bit of color that ties it all together. The paper is International Bazaar (126920) DSP from Stampin' Up! and the set is World Treasures (126767). I used the Apothecary Accents FramelitsDies (127003) and a bit of thick double-sided tape to pop-up the 'friend' message.

Don't forget to decorate the inside! I used the stylized flower from the World Treasures set and added a bit of color inside.

Friday, June 8, 2012

I thought I'd use my cute new Make a Cake (126742) set from Stampin' Up! to work on this week's challenge. It's adorable! It's free this month when you sign up as a demonstrator - along with the pretty matching DSP.

Back to the card - the sets I used are Make a Cake (126724), One in a Million (126382), Framlits-Apothecary Accents (127003), & Textured Impressions Square Lattice (119976).

The colors were from the Pals Paper Arts Color Challenge, PPA136 - Night of Navy, Real Red, & Whisper White. Just a bit of early 4th of July inspiration, or a nod to the Queen's 60th Jubilee...take it as you like, the words can always be adjusted, but both celebrations are surely worth a cake!

The little bit on the left is from the top of the 'framlit' cut-out used on the front - I added the second half of the saying on the inside of the card, with a few small pennants and some thick double-sided tape.

I just love the extra dimension the double sided tape adds to the card. I even cut out the cake and stuck it back with the thick tape. The baby pennants above the cake I just used regular glue/tape to stick on.

Stamping!

Do you love to stamp?

I'm a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator and am loving all the new items! If you’re interested in getting started stamping or would like to place an order, I’d love to help. If you live nearby and are looking for someone to stamp with, or would like to have a stamping party to earn free sets…drop me a line. I love to meet other stampers and would love to start a group here in Modesto, California.

I can’t wait to hear from you!

About Me

I close my eyes & picture myself in a little fairytale cottage in the woods, trees abounding and herbs growing amok, far from any cities or towns. There's a path nearby that leads through the woods to a little village where I can sell my odds and ends. Can you picture the pretty wooden bridge that crosses the nearby stream?
I’m married to a wonderful man & have the best son in the world. I love having my hubby to snuggle up to in that snug room above the kitchen (picture the fairytale cottage here), & someday I will talk him into building me the cottage…so I can have an escape to play with lye and oils (making soap…), pick my wild herbs, create pretty cards, and sculpt many more little wookies…& my explosion of craft toys can be far away from prying eyes...I won’t have to put anything away…